State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, backed by members of the LGBT community, compared workforce discrimination based on sexual orientation to the Civil Rights Movement and women’s suffrage while presenting her bill to other senators Wednesday.

Retired Marine SSgt. Eric Alva, the first American soldier to receive a Purple Heart in the Iraq War. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Van de Putte, author of SB 237, said discriminating employees based on “factors that have nothing to do with their performance, skill set or ability but only based upon who they love” should be against the law in Texas. The bill would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression and allow the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate claims.

Among those speaking in support of the bill was Retired Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, who was the first American soldier to receive a Purple Heart during the Iraq War. Alva, whose right leg was amputated, told Senate Economic Development committee members Wednesday that current law allows employers to discriminate against him because he is gay.

“There are no laws to protect individuals such as myself or others in this state,” Alva said. “It is time that this state recognizes people for who they are on their merit, their leadership and their professionalism.”

State Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, who is also the chairman of the committee, told the Associated Press after the hearing the bill doesn’t have enough support to pass out of committee.

Current state law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin and age. Van de Putte, a Democrat from San Antonio, said 21 other states have similar laws protecting from LGBT discrimination.

No testimony was given in opposition to the bill, although representatives from the Texas Association of Business and Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, registered with the committee as opposing the bill.